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Temple 32, Zenjibu-ji

The Temple of the Ch’an Master’s Peak

Temple 32, Zenjibu-ji

Zenjibu-ji is temple No. 32 on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, or Henro. The temple is located on a hillside in Nankoku outside Kōchi city near the Pacific coast.

What to see
As you walk up the mountain path from the foot of the temple, the path branch to the right towards a storehouse and the temple office. Ahead of you is the temple gate with a washbasin. A statue of Fudō Myōō stands beside the gate. Beside the path are numerous oddly shaped rocks. Further up the stone steps, there is a belfry on the right with the main hall beyond. To the left of the main hall is the Daishi Hall, and to its left are a Jizo Hall and Amida Hall. From the top of the mountain, there is a panoramic view of Tosa Bay. You can also see Katsurahama beach from here.
Not far from Zenjibu-ji are the former residence and tomb of Takeuchi Hanpeita, also called Zuizan, a samurai who played an important role in overthrowing the Shogunate and restoring the Emperor as the ruler of Japan.

History
According to temple legend, Emperor Shōmu ordered Gyōki to build a hall to pray for safety at sea. Later, Kūkai recognised it as a sacred place and performed a goma ceremony. He carved an eleven-faced Kannon as the principal image. It has long been worshipped by fishermen, as well as by successive lords of the Tosa Domain since Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who prayed for safe voyages when leaving Urado Bay on his biennial trips to Edo.

Information

Name in Japanese: 禅師峰寺

Pronunciation: zenjibu-ji

Address: 3084 Tochi Nankoku-shi, Kochi Prefecture 783-0085

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